contend

verb

kən-ˈtend How to pronounce contend (audio)
Definition of contendnext
1
as in to compete
to engage in a contest two traditional rivals contending for the championship

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2
as in to argue
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration contended that the senator's considerable experience made him the best candidate

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to insist
to state as a fact usually forcefully contended that his opponent was wrong about practically everything

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contend But protesters, including some Jewish groups, contend that opposing Israel's military offensive in Gaza is not antisemitic and that support for Palestinian rights does not indicate support for extremism. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 This time, Zaki was building a character from the life of one of the Arab world’s most revered cultural figures, with decades of history and public memory with which to contend. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026 But most Democrats contend that 8-30g is called into play only when towns haven’t already done enough to expand housing. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 At the same time, the lawsuits contend that chatbots are pretending to be agreeable and compassionate while preying on the vulnerable and on teenagers, the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence. — Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contend
  1. compete
  2. argue
  3. insist
  4. reason
  5. allege
  6. plead
  7. claim
  8. assert
Verb
  • The council evaluated four competing proposals solicited after the city issued a contract termination notice to trash hauler Republic Services in September.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Africa is attracting investment from major miners as China and Western governments compete to secure minerals for clean energy and advanced technologies.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of compete
Verb
  • Rubio has argued that before holding new elections, Venezuela must stabilize its economy and rebuild its institutions, including its courts and electoral council.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Catholics have used Scripture to argue for and against deportations and strict immigration enforcement.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of argue
Verb
  • The administration insists its strategy of inflicting economic pain is working.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Putin has long insisted that Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which Russia has tried — and failed — to fully capture over more than four years of war have always been Russian.
    — Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • An agent may reason, invoke tools, call multiple models, access data and trigger downstream actions to complete a task.
    — Jesse Stockall, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from having great weather, California is also a hotbed for innovation, Huang has reasoned.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of reason
Verb
  • Walter also is a defendant in multiple civil lawsuits filed by investors alleging fraud and breach of contract.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Justice Department this month received a federal judge's permission to intervene in the case, alleging that the city’s actions violate the Equal Protection Cause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Fair Housing Act.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of allege
Verb
  • The Harford County Humane Society is pleading for help after an influx of dogs in October left the shelter at full capacity, with all 67 kennels occupied.
    — Ashley Paul, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Mark Salling, who played Noah Puckerman, died at 35 in 2018 in what appeared to be a suicide after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography.
    — Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of plead
Verb
  • Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot claim the future of Israel and its security is at stake.
    — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack; the attackers’ motive remained unknown.
    — Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of claim
Verb
  • But experts believe Kim's sister has been asserting her authority recently, too, and appearances like this week's are part of that effort.
    — Anna Coren, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Joseph Hill, the director of the Center for Black Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, asserted that BASL is generally treated as more of a dialect than a language.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of assert

Phrases Containing contend

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contemptuousness
contend
contended
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Cite this Entry

“Contend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contend. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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